Innovation and research for the greater good

Universities are often justly criticized for being stagnant, resting on their academic laurels and not having a real impact on the communities they serve. 

Not at ASU.


We live our charter promise to advance the welfare of the people and communities where we are located — and beyond. Are you ready for a whole lot of statistics and numbers? Here we go.

ASU’s research expenditures have more than doubled in the past decade and are close to $1 billion. We are No. 38 of 900 institutions in fiscal year 2021–22 for research expenditures, ahead of the University of Chicago, Purdue University and many others. And that research isn’t just reserved for faculty and graduate students — at ASU, undergraduates participate in a big way. Read about it here

Tons of Sun Devils get patents for their inventions. 

ASU is launching an unprecedented type of medical school

We’re embracing AI

We really like CHIPS

And we’re a big deal with NASA and the Department of Defense, too.

ASU is a leading knowledge enterprise

Total research expenditures

38th

of 900

Ahead of University of Chicago, Brown, Princeton, Caltech, University of Virginia, CU Boulder and Virginia Tech

NSF-funded expenditures

17th

of 597

Ahead of Penn State, Johns Hopkins, USC, UCLA, University of Arizona and Harvard

Total research expenditures

(Institutions without a medical school)

5th

of 733

Ahead of NC State, Princeton University, Carnegie Mellon, CU Boulder, Notre Dame University and Caltech

Non-medical research expenditures

14th

of 900

Ahead of Stanford University, Columbia University, UNC, UC Davis, University of Arizona and Ohio State University

Research expenditures have more than doubled over the last decade

Research priorities include sustainability, advanced technology, health, space, national security

NSF HERD expenditures

A chart showing NSF HERD expenditures

ASU is a hub for entrepreneurship

3rd

on the Kauffman Growth Entrepreneurship Index

6th

in best tech transfer for universities without a medical school, 21st overall, ahead of Northwestern University, Harvard University and Duke University

9th

in U.S. utility patents issued to universities worldwide in 2023, ahead of Johns Hopkins University, University of Michigan, University of Florida, University of Wisconsin and Duke University

11th

in innovation productivity among large comprehensive research universities, ahead of Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania and University of Washington

230+

new companies launched by ASU entrepreneurs working with SkySong Innovations

$60M

in grants and gifts and 3 endowed funds

1K+

students supported through the Venture Devils program and 800+ active Venture Devils teams

$1.3B

in outside investments attracted by new companies

Improving health – and changing the future of health care

It’s more than just a new kind of medical school, and it’s more than just working with hospitals. ASU Health is working to find innovative ways to be impactful to families at home, schools and school districts, hospitals, clinics, pharmacies — everyone. 

Based in downtown Phoenix, ASU Health will leverage all health-related assets of Arizona State University, one of the largest public research universities in the United States. The major effort also will launch numerous new tools to improve education, learning and problem-solving in health care.

The learning health ecosystem

ASU consists of many interconnected schools, enterprises, missions, and partners
  • School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering
  • School of Technology for Public Health
  • Medical Master's Institute
  • Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation
  • College of Health Solutions
  • Health Observatory at ASU
  • Health Literacy
  • Clinical partnerships
  • ASU Clinics
  • Innovation Zones
  • Health assets across ASU, partners, community

ASU embraces generative AI for collective creativity and problem-solving

AI acceleration

The AI Acceleration group at ASU creates new AI tools and infrastructure to support student success, research and operational efficiencies.

computer monitor

OpenAI

ASU became the first university to collaborate with OpenAI to help advance the responsible development of AI learning technologies.

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Educational programs

ASU has launched a series of educational offerings, including a Master of Science program and an AI in Business certificate, for a wide range of learners.

Study the Earth and the universe beyond

The School of Earth and Space Exploration combines the strengths of science, engineering and education to provide unparalleled access to ground-breaking research and discovery.

1st

in geological and earth sciences

3rd

in geochemistry

5th

in environmental sciences

5th

in geology

12th

in earth sciences graduate education

25+

space missions

1st

online accredited undergraduate astronomy degree

2

spaceflight-certified clean rooms for assembling and testing spacecrafts and instruments

Sparky in front of televisions

A new kind of university is already here

Find out more about what we are doing

Fixing higher education is a cause, not a competition.


To all of the universities out there, join us. Let’s work together to reimagine higher education, and create a new kind of American university where you don’t need to choose between access and excellence.

Send us a note at changehighered@asu.edu and let’s start the conversation.

As of November 2024, this website uses the most recent data available.